Fall Chinook Season Heating Up
It’s prime time for fall Chinook salmon, and anglers across Oregon are hitting the rivers in force. Lee Richey of Portland landed an impressive upriver bright at Davis Bar on August 28, using a Mexican Hat Spinfish stuffed with tuna, fished at 30 feet on the line counter.
While action at Bonneville remains slow, that may soon change. Fish counts at Bonneville Dam are tracking at about half of last year’s pace. With river temperatures still high, many Chinook appear to be holding in the cooler waters of the estuary rather than pushing upriver. That means anglers in the lower river should expect continued opportunity.
Upper Willamette Valley Report (by Terry Otto)
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Trout and warmwater species remain good targets.
Also Read
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Chinook and steelhead runs are largely finished in valley rivers.
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High-elevation trout lakes are entering their seasonal peak, offering anglers great late-summer options.
Best Bets This Weekend
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Recently stocked streams with rainbow trout.
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Detroit Lake for kokanee and trout.
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Upper McKenzie, Santiam Rivers, and Middle Fork Willamette: fair to good trout action.
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Cascade high-country lakes: excellent late-season trout opportunities.
Trout Stocking Updates
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Aug. 11–15: McKenzie River (above & below Leaburg Dam), Salmon Creek, Alton Baker Canal, Leaburg Lake.
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Aug. 18–22: McKenzie River (above Leaburg Dam), Alton Baker Canal.
Check the full ODFW stocking schedule for more details.
Cascade Mountain Lakes
Fall offers some of the best trout fishing of the year in the Cascade high lakes. Anglers can find hundreds of secluded lakes with clear water, beautiful scenery, and eager trout. These lakes remain accessible until snow closes the roads. Always check Willamette National Forest wildfire closures before planning a trip.
Santiam and McKenzie Rivers
Guide Mike Ferris reports spring Chinook and summer steelhead fishing is finished for the year in the North and South Santiam. Trout remain active, especially in stocked reaches, where hopper-dropper rigs and bead flies have produced. Drift boating is difficult due to low flows.
On the McKenzie River, hatchery trout stocking continues, with 3,300 rainbow trout planted above Leaburg Dam in August. Evening hatches of Pale Evening Duns, Blue Winged Olives, Mahogany Duns, and caddis are keeping fly anglers busy.
Willamette Valley Reservoirs
Detroit Reservoir
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Kokanee are holding at 50 feet, occasionally rising to 25 feet in early mornings.
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Trophy rainbows are showing up.
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Bag limit: 5 kokanee plus 5 additional trout/kokanee.
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Good bank access from both arms of the reservoir.
Foster Reservoir
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Trout, smallmouth bass, and yellow perch available.
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Bank anglers finding success near rest areas and campgrounds.
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Bag limit applies only to kokanee and clipped trout. No limits on bass or other warmwater species.
Green Peter Reservoir
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Levels are dropping; Thistle Creek ramp open, Whitcomb ramp dry.
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Chinook harvest remains prohibited.
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Smallmouth bass fishing excellent near drop-offs and wood.
Portland Metro Rivers
Clackamas River
A few early coho are appearing in the lower river. Conditions remain slow, but better runs are expected in coming weeks as water levels rise.
Sandy River
Reports show early coho in both lower and mid-river stretches. Bright fall Chinook are still entering the system, though many fish upriver are darkening. Summer steelhead remain near Cedar Creek. Water temps are high (71.5°F), and anglers await the season’s first big rainfall to push more fish upstream.
North & Central Coast
Buoy 10 and Estuaries
It’s peak fishing at Buoy 10, with coho and Chinook filling coolers. The ocean fishery north of Cape Falcon reopens Saturday, August 30, and again September 1 for coho and Chinook retention.
Elsewhere:
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Nehalem Bay has been slow, but softer tides may improve catches.
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Tillamook, Alsea, Salmon, and Nestucca estuaries are seeing early Chinook, though outlooks remain cautious.
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Tuna anglers are motivated, with some boats running 50 miles offshore.
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Crabbing continues to improve in bays and ocean waters.
Central & Eastern Oregon
Columbia Gorge
Reports from Gorge Outfitters Supply indicate strong fall Chinook action near the Deschutes mouth, with fish weighing 15–30 pounds. Trolling and plunking are effective. Walleye are active in both shallow evening waters and deeper channels.
Lower Deschutes River
Steelhead have slowed slightly, spreading out after the first big push. Trout fishing remains solid, though anglers must fish deep with bead-head nymphs, sculpins, and streamers. Cooler weather will improve trout action further.
High Lakes & Kokanee
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East, Paulina, and Odell lakes: excellent kokanee and trout.
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Metolius River: aggressive bull trout taking streamers.
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Hosmer and Little Lava lakes: good trout fishing.
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Ochoco Reservoir: excellent crappie fishing.
Wildfires and smoke continue to affect access; check official ODF fire maps before traveling.
Crane Prairie Reservoir
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Trout fishing improving in Quinn and Cultus channels.
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Excellent bass fishing in the northeast section.
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Anglers should monitor water temps and handle fish carefully.
Eastern Oregon
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Wallowa Lake producing kokanee over 16 inches.
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Grande Ronde River: bass active in lower sections; trout and whitefish slow until cooler fall weather.
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McKay and Willow Creek reservoirs: solid bass and perch catches.
Southwest Oregon
Contributor Jeff Rome highlights mixed results across the region:
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Rogue Bay: steady Chinook catches, with heavy angler pressure expected over Labor Day.
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Middle Rogue: Chinook effort continues at Finley Bend but success is slow.
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Upper Rogue: stocked weekly with trout; sea-run cutthroat must be released.
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Lakes: Lost Creek, Diamond, Hyatt, Howard Prairie, and Fish lakes remain productive, especially in mornings before heat builds.
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Ocean: halibut, lingcod, tuna, and bottom fish provide excellent alternatives for those looking to escape the heat.
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Umpqua River: mainstem now closed for Chinook, but striped bass and smallmouth bass fishing is excellent in forks and tributaries.
Recipe Highlight: Rockfish Tacos
A fresh catch deserves a tasty finish. Try making rockfish tacos with crispy seared fillets, shredded cabbage, and a squeeze of lime, paired with a cold Oregon craft beer for the perfect post-fishing meal.
Outlook
As September approaches, Oregon anglers are entering one of the year’s most exciting seasons. From the fall Chinook surge in the Columbia and coastal estuaries to trout peaks in the Cascades and high lakes, opportunities abound. With shifting water levels, late-summer hatches, and the first fall rains on the horizon, fishing across the state promises a mix of challenge and reward.
Whether chasing salmon at Buoy 10, trolling for kokanee in Detroit, or fly fishing high mountain lakes, anglers can expect a memorable Labor Day weekend on Oregon’s waters.
